Former US Open champion Lucas Glover has dropped a bombshell by claiming that PGA Tour stars cheat on the course, amid speculation that several stars’ drivers were deemed non-conforming at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. PGA Tour Radio reported that Masters champion Rory McIlroy arrived at the competition with his reliable TaylorMade QI10 driver, though it was deemed illegal after failing to pass a random inspection by the USGA.
The PGA of America issued a statement confirming that there was no concern about players’ intent at the major. McIlroy made no public comment on the matter and test results are confidential. Scottie Scheffler, who went on to win the title, admitted that his driver failed compliance checks. Xander Schauffele led calls for compulsory driver checks for the entire 156-player field, as only a third were tested, a sentiment that 2009 US Open champion Glover agreed with.
He also lifted the lid on how some players on tour cheat the system by not handing in their ‘real’ driver, telling SiriusXM: “I’ve been trying to think all morning and all day how to say this without sounding like it’s going to sound – but most guys don’t give them their real driver anyway.
“They give them their backup just in case. No, it’s true. And the testing is the way it is, why, and again, I know a lot of guys, they keep two drivers in their bag just in case. [They say] ‘Hey, oh, yeah – it’s this one. It’s this one right here. Yeah, do this, test this one’.”
Glover called for mandatory testing for all players at major events, insisting that there is no financial obstacle stopping officials, such is the riches on offer at tournaments in the modern day.
He asked: “Why doesn’t everybody get tested at every major? And why don’t we somehow try to make sure it’s the driver being used?
“If we’re going to be on an equal playing field, and the four biggest events are going to bring all these people and all these tours together. Let’s make sure we’re playing under the same rules.”
Drivers that fail testing can often be explained by coefficient of restitution – the trampoline effect – as repeated use of the club wears down its face and becomes more springy.
No player is thought to be intentionally cheating according to the USGA and PGA of America, with eight players thought to have breached the rules at the PGA Championship. Only Scheffler’s was made public, by his own admission.
McIlroy declined to speak to the media, as is his right at major tournaments, but a lack of clarity from the world No. 2 has only added fuel to the speculation.
